50th Birthday Boy

This fortnight's challenge at As You Like It Challenge is to decide whether you prefer clean & simple, or fussy & fancy in your crafting.  I do tend to swap between styles, with some of my more feminine cards being festooned with flowers, ribbons, pearls etc, but I also find it satisfying when a beautifully coloured image takes the centre stage.  Today's fuss-free creation is a special birthday card for someone who's been a good friend during the past 30 years.  He's recently discovered the joys of dog-walking, albeit his sister's dog, but this image felt right when I was picking one for his card.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur/Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Fence: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire
• Wall: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• In The Country by Lili of the Valley Stamps
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Typed Sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Light the Candles

At As You Like It Challenge this week want to know if you prefer stamped or digi images.  I have far more digi images than I do rubber stamps, and I certainly appreciate the convenience of them when it comes to storage, ease of browsing my collection and instant purchasing!  But there is still something more satisfying about getting truely inky and stamping your own image.  I've had problems in the past with printer ink bleeding when I'm watercolouring digi images, and times when my printer's not been playing ball, whereas my physical ink pads seem to last forever although sometimes you don't get a full image (I have better luck if I use my stamp platform).  And finally, the brands that gave me the papercrafting bug were physical stamps (some on wooden blocks!) so it's often nice to dig out those stamps again.  Therefore, I've selected a rubber stamp from my collection for today's card.  However, I expect my laziness will kick back in and I'll revert back to digis again next week!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella Gnome Firefighter
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• 3mm Flat backed pearls
• Typed Sentiment (Fonts: KG Beanth Your Beautiful Chunk & Outside)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Kitty Chef

Today's card is a simple watercoloured image matted onto layers of lilac and purple.

Designed for:
Dies to Die For

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Ground: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Colorado Craft - Dad's Cooking

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Violet Plain Card 290gsm
• Lavender Plain Card 160gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Four Legged Friends
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Toadily Quackers

Yellow and green are not my go-to colours, but are perfect for the current summery season.

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Duck: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Water: Tumbled Glass
• Pinks: Kitsch Flamingo

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Pond Pampering by Colorado Craft
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Billiard Green Card 210gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Seaside (using Distress Inks from CVC)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Fathers Day

Happy Father's Day!

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Giraffe: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Giraffe & Bird by RAM Stamps
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Woodstock Pistachio
• Sentiment Fonts: Cute Rita & Outside

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Bright & Cheerful

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Have a fin-tastic day

At As You Like It Challenge this week, we're asking if you prefer Clean & Simple or Fussy.  I personally enjoy making both styles, although I find the clean and simple theme far more challenging because mine seem to feel 'unfinished'. I've tasked myself to make a clean and simple card that I'm happy with. This one's for a dad who's keen on fishing, so the masculine theme tends to lend itself more to clean and simple.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

Lili of the Valley

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Rod: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• James Fishing
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Marine Blue Card 240gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Typed Sentiment (Fonts: 'KG Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk' and 'Outside')
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Badger with Paintbrush

A simple card with a watercoloured badger and a typed sentiment. I've foiled the sentiment to give it a bit of added interest but otherwise it's a very simple layout with a matt of dark green to complement the colours in the image.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Badger: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Paintbrush: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Speckled Egg
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Badger with Paintbrush Digistamp by Lee Holland
• Font for typed sentiment - Take Warning
• Heidi Swapp Foiling machine and Lime Green foil
  
  

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Verde Foresta Nettuno Linen Effect Green Card 280gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - 4 legged animals

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cute Dog on Kennel

Today's card is a simple one, which I hope is potentially suitable as a masculine card (pretty rare for me!).  

I've used an adorable puppy from Lee Holland which I've watercoloured and layered onto grey card and a white slimline cardbase.  

The sentiment is just typed in two different fonts.

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Dog: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Kennel: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Crackling Campfire, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Cute Dog on Kennel from Lee Holland
• Slate Grey Plain Card from Papermill Direct
• Fonts: 'Calibri' for the 'Happy' and 'Welcome' for the 'Birthday'

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Scoot Away

For my Polkadoodles Digi Choosday today I've used the Scooting Around image with some pretty Winnie Sugar Sprinkles 3 Papers for this boys theme gift tag.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Mouse/Dog: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Cat: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Prize Ribbon
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Speckled Egg, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Scooting Around from Polkadoodles
• Winnie Sugar Sprinkles 3 Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Tag No.12 (with stitching)
• MFT Stitched Circles
• 15mm Organza Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Masculine
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Country View Challenges - Cats & Dogs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Rooftop Reindeer

I've inked up a rooftoop of fun today using this snowy image from the new release at Lili of the Valley.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Seat: Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Antlers: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass, Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Black Soot
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Rooftop Reindeer from Lili of the Valley
• Glossy Accents
• Glamour Dust Glitter
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Sparkle
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Teddy Pudding

I'm sharing a sneek peek from the new release due out soon from Lili of the Valley.  This one is Teddy Pudding and I've teamed him with an inky stencilled backdrop and one of the new sentiments also in the next LOTV release.  Simples!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Pudding: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Tea Dye, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Weathered Wood, Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Speckled Egg, Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Teddy Pudding & Sentiment from Lili of the Valley
• Glossy Accents
• Glamour Dust Glitter
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Double Stitched Square Nesting Dies
• White Gel Pen
• Taylored Expressions Brick by Brick stencil

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Sparkle
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Kitty Boo

For my Polkadoodles Digi Choosday today I'm sharing my Father's Day card featuring Boo the kitty (which I've mirrored, so he's facing to the right) and some softly spotty papers from Winnie Sugar Sprinkles 2 collection. My image is watercoloured using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

To keep the design quite simple, and as masculine as possible, I've matted each layer onto kraft coloured card, including the sentiment.  The lettering itself is die cut using a CC Designs alphabet on some scraps of the same papers.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

I've been inspired by:

• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

LOTV on The Craft Store (Hochanda)

You may have seen on Facebook that LOTV are going to be on The Craft Store on Wednesday at 9am and 1pm (although you can watch it on catch-up via their website afterwards).  I've made a few samples that you may see on the telly, including today's card featuring Lick Of Paint.  I'm really hoping I get to see it on TV!

I've kept the design very simple, and have used this layout before, including the text, which is typed and printed in very pale grey, and then I ink over it with the same colour as I've used for my image, including the little dribbles.  

The font is a freebie called 'Take Warning' but you could use any font you like and add random dribbles in the same way by flicking lines down from the lettering.  I like how the wording looks with his messy painting style (I hope he's going to clear up after himself as I'm not sure he'll get much repeat business or customer recommendations if he leaves all that paint on the floor)

Update: Here is my little laddie on the TV!!!!!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Shirt: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Outfit: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Ladders: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain.
• Paint: Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Black Soot

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Clean & Simple

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Teddy

My final Easter card for this year isn't very traditional, but I'm hoping it is a little more masculine as it's for my brother-in-law, so I've left out the embelishments!  At As You Like It Challenge today we're asking if you prefer stencils or embossing.  Although I do love the effect created by embossing folders, I don't seem to use the few that I have very often, but I do like creating background scenes for my images, which is easy to do with a stencil.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Wheelbarrow: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Bundled Sage, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Lee Holland Teddy Best Friends
• Taylored Expressions Brick by Brick Stencil
• Lawn Fawn Petite Spring Plaid papers
• Happy sentiment from MFT Adorable Elephant stamp set
• CC Designs Alphabet dies
• Spotty ribbon

I've been inspired by:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Santa's Boots

I'm planning ahead for next December already making a Christmas card using Holibobs Santa from Polkadoodles for today's Digi Choosday Challenge.  I've watercoloured him using DI inks and mounted the image onto red card cut into the shape of Santa's boot.  The white 'fur' is glitter card (which I find impossible to photograph), and the sole is a thin strip of black card.  I've then drawn in highlight with a white gel pen.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Speckled Egg, Weathered Wood
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New (image, cardbase shape)
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Campfire

I've used the Happy Campers image from MFT to make this fun card.  I think the bunny is my favourite, but they all look adorable!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo 
• Fox: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Mouse: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Guitar: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Little Lion

I love Lee Holland images and this little lion is my latest indulgence.  I've finished him off with the fabulous Whimsy Stamps Birthday Shaddow die which has become my new favourite sentiment die.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Stamps Little Lion
• MFT Watercolor Paper Pad
• Stitched Rectangle
• Whimsy Birthday Shadow Die
  

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello Honey Bear

I'm on a bit of a roll with my CAS masculine-ish cards with this cute honey bear from Whimsy

.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur/Beehive: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Tree: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Hello Bear
• Memory Box Stitched Rectangle
• MFT Party Plaid Papers
• MFT Watercolor Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Country View - Complimentary Colours (Red & Green)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wonderful Surprises

Today's card was for my Dad's birthday using MFT Pawty Time.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set.  It's masculine-ish (for me anyway!).

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• MFT Pawty Time
• MFT Roses all over paper pad
• MFT Stitched Rectangle
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Spotty Satin ribbon
• Kraft card

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Challenges - Complementary Colours (Red & Green)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Juggling

Today I've used Juggling, another one of the new images from Lili of the Valley.  I flipped the image so that he's facing to the right. I know bunnies are not traditionally winter animals, but I love the LOTV bunnies, so a Christmas image with them is perfect for me!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Wilted Violet
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Juggling from Lili of the Valley
• Sentiment from Lili of the Valley
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx